The Duke

This factual film about the theft of Goya's painting of the Duke of Wellington, by a taxi driver, Kempton Bunton in 1961, has both Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren in top form. This highly enjoyable film delivers fine performances from a stellar cast. The painting is held for a ransom for the price paid by the National Gallery in order to subsidize pensionares and the elderly. Jim Broadbent gives a very comic performance in a court room scene worth many belly laughs. Mirren, as his hard working wife, gives a gritty performance in a very unflattering physical role. Having never heard of this true story, I enjoyed learning something new and enjoyed a very British film with very fine actors portraying real people.